UTSA fans express their approval after the Roadrunners took the lead in the first half of their home opener against Arizona on Thursday night.

UTSA fans express their approval after the Roadrunners took the lead in the first half of their home opener against Arizona on Thursday night.

Photo: Tom Reel / San Antonio Express-News

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Roadrunner defenders swarm over to stop Nick Wilson in the first half as UTSA hosts Arizona in its home opener at the Alamodome on September 4, 2014.

Roadrunner defenders swarm over to stop Nick Wilson in the first half as UTSA hosts Arizona in its home opener at the Alamodome on September 4, 2014.

Photo: For The San Antonio Express-News

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Roadrunner defenders Jason Neill (96) and Drew Douglas push running back NIck Wilson back for a one yard loss setting up a touchback as UTSA hosts Arizona in its home opener at the Alamodome on September 4, 2014. less

Roadrunner defenders Jason Neill (96) and Drew Douglas push running back NIck Wilson back for a one yard loss setting up a touchback as UTSA hosts Arizona in its home opener at the Alamodome on September 4, ... more

Photo: For The San Antonio Express-News

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Roadrunner defenders Jason Neill (96) and Drew Douglas push running back NIck Wilson back for a one yard loss setting up a touchback as UTSA hosts Arizona in its home opener at the Alamodome on September 4, 2014. less

Roadrunner defenders Jason Neill (96) and Drew Douglas push running back NIck Wilson back for a one yard loss setting up a touchback as UTSA hosts Arizona in its home opener at the Alamodome on September 4, ... more

Photo: For The San Antonio Express-News

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Wildcat quarterback Anu Solomon runs but can't escape the pursuing Ferrrington Macon as UTSA hosts Arizona in its home opener at the Alamodome on September 4, 2014.

Wildcat quarterback Anu Solomon runs but can't escape the pursuing Ferrrington Macon as UTSA hosts Arizona in its home opener at the Alamodome on September 4, 2014.

Photo: For The San Antonio Express-News

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Roadrunner safety Mauricio Sanchez slams hard into quarterback Anu Solomon as UTSA hosts Arizona in its home opener at the Alamodome on September 4, 2014.

Roadrunner safety Mauricio Sanchez slams hard into quarterback Anu Solomon as UTSA hosts Arizona in its home opener at the Alamodome on September 4, 2014.

Photo: For The San Antonio Express-News

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Kam Jones reaches the ball out to give the Roadrunners a touchdown and the lead in the second quarter as UTSA hosts Arizona in its home opener at the Alamodome on September 4, 2014.

Kam Jones reaches the ball out to give the Roadrunners a touchdown and the lead in the second quarter as UTSA hosts Arizona in its home opener at the Alamodome on September 4, 2014.

Photo: For The San Antonio Express-News

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Wildcat quarterback Anu Solomon runs but can't escape the pursuing Ferrrington Macon as UTSA hosts Arizona in its home opener at the Alamodome on September 4, 2014.

Wildcat quarterback Anu Solomon runs but can't escape the pursuing Ferrrington Macon as UTSA hosts Arizona in its home opener at the Alamodome on September 4, 2014.

Photo: For The San Antonio Express-News

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Roadrunner deffensive end Robert Singletary forces an incomplete pass from Anu Solomon as UTSA hosts Arizona in its home opener at the Alamodome on September 4, 2014.

Roadrunner deffensive end Robert Singletary forces an incomplete pass from Anu Solomon as UTSA hosts Arizona in its home opener at the Alamodome on September 4, 2014.

Photo: For The San Antonio Express-News

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Roadrunner tight end David Morgan II comes down with a reception to give his team a first down on a desparation fourth down play in the fourth quarter as UTSA hosts Arizona in its home opener at the Alamodome on September 4, 2014. less

Roadrunner tight end David Morgan II comes down with a reception to give his team a first down on a desparation fourth down play in the fourth quarter as UTSA hosts Arizona in its home opener at the Alamodome ... more

Photo: For The San Antonio Express-News

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Jones shines in return to Lone Star State

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When he was running free from the UTSA defense on the first play from scrimmage Thursday night, Arizona wide receiver Cayleb Jones had a simple but emphatic thought.

“Just not to get caught or I'd hear about it in the film room from the other guys that I was slow,” Jones said.

The former Austin High standout utilized a nice stiff arm that helped him streak 85 yards for a touchdown on the first play on a pass from Anu Solomon. Jones finished with a game-high 143 receiving yards on four catches.

His arrival at Arizona came following his transfer from Texas in July after he was suspended for punching a UT tennis player and breaking his jaw.

The charge of felony aggravated assault was later reduced to a misdemeanor, and he sat out last season as a transfer.

Several cousins and his grandmother came from Austin to watch Thursday night.

“I was just excited my family was there for my first touchdown,” Jones said. “My first touchdown being in Texas was definitely a statement for me.”

Loud, rowdy crowd: Thursday's game attracted 33,472 fans to the Alamodome. It was the fifth-largest crowd in school history in the Roadrunners' first home night game.

Bigger crowds included UTSA's record of 56,743 for its 2011 opener, 40,977 for the Oklahoma State game last season, 39,032 for Texas State in 2012 and 33,517 against Bacone in 2011.

It was the 11th crowd of at least 30,000 in UTSA's 19 home games.

No Jones-Grigsby: Arizona played without leading rusher Terris Jones-Grigsby, who missed Thursday's game with an ankle injury.

He was replaced by freshman running back Nick Wilson, who made the most of his first career start with 174 yards on 30 carries.

“I wasn't expecting it, but you have to do what you've got to do,” he said. “I was surprised I got the ball that many times.”

Fast Arizona start: After a stellar game last week in the opening victory at Houston, the Roadrunners had more problems with Arizona's nation-leading offense.

The Wildcats blistered UTSA, which won the coin toss but elected to play defense, for three scoring drives on their first four possessions to start the game. On those possessions, the Wildcats notched 231 yards on 27 possessions, averaging 8.6 yards per snap.

Roadrunners streak ends: UTSA's school-record six-game win streak was stopped with the loss. It was the fourth-longest streak in the nation, trailing only Florida State (17), Michigan State (11) and Louisville (7).
tgriffin@express-news.net